Federal Immigration Update: Fixed Period of Admission

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a federal rule replacing “Duration of Status” (D/S) with fixed-date admission to the U.S., or a “Fixed Period of Admission” (FPA).

The final rule was published on July 17, 2026, and becomes effective September 15, 2026.

The new rule impacts procedures that F-1 and J-1 students, alumni on OPT, J-1 scholars and all F-2 and J-2 dependents must take to extend their programs and lawful stay in the U.S. The rules for changing educational objectives and transferring to a new institution are also impacted.

The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) has provided the following summary:

“The final rule replaces “duration of status” admissions to the United States in F and J nonimmigrant status with fixed end dates on Form I-94, requires students and exchange visitors to file formal extension applications with USCIS to stay beyond their I-94 “admit until date” (AUD), shortens the F-1 post-completion grace period from 60 to 30 days, and imposes new limits on academic flow and educational mobility. DHS argues the changes will improve oversight, program integrity and national security, but institutions will face higher compliance costs and legal risks, enrollment impacts and heavier advising burdens.

“There are transition provisions for F and J nonimmigrants who were admitted for D/S on their Form I-94 and are inside the United States on September 15, 2026, the final rule effective date. These individuals will not have to immediately apply for a date-certain I-94, but they must still apply for an extension of stay in order to remain in status beyond the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019, or four years from the final rule effective date, whichever is shorter, and will also be subject to the new academic restrictions in varied ways. If someone in this transition group exits the United States and reenters on or after September 15, 2026, CBP will readmit them with a Form I-94 with a date-specific AUD.”

Impact

The rule changes the way F and J nonimmigrants (including almost all international students and J-1 scholars at Purdue University) are admitted to the United States.

It limits students’ and scholars’ admission to the U.S. and approved immigration status to a fixed period of time and requires any request to extend their immigration status to be reviewed and approved not only by an ISS counselor, but also by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

This is a significant change that requires new fees, procedures, additional processing time and understanding of important immigration documents. Students and scholars making their initial entry into the U.S. will be most directly impacted by the change, but those continuing current programs also need to be aware that it will affect their status.

Only international students in F-1 and J-1 status (including interns), J-1 scholars and their accompanying F-2 and J-2 dependents are within the scope of Purdue’s likely exposure to this rule change. Dependents include one legal spouse and unmarried children up to the age of 21.

The DHS rule change will:

1. Cause the current Form I-94 Arrival Record “admit until date” (AUD) of “duration of status” to be replaced with a specific end date that aligns with the academic program length or four years, whichever is shorter. The AUD is the period of lawful stay in the U.S. The current D/S AUD allows students to remain in the U.S. until their F-1/J-1 activities end, without a fixed or defined end date.
2. Require students to file formal Extension of Stay (EOS) applications and filing fees with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as part of a multi-step application process to extend lawful stay in the U.S. The current program extension process is completed by a Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in the ISS office at Purdue and does not require a formal government application.
3. Shorten the current F-1 student grace period from 60 days to 30 days. The grace period is a period of lawful stay in the U.S. after completing an academic program during which an F nonimmigrant may prepare for departure from the U.S. Current rules allow an F-1 student to change education level, transfer schools or apply for a change of immigration status or other benefit during the 60-day grace period. Under the rule, this period would be shortened to 30 days. There is no change to the J-1 student grace period as it is already set at 30 days.
4. Restrict F-1 undergraduate students from changing “educational objectives” or transferring to another U.S. higher education institution during their first academic year. Educational objectives refer to a student’s education level, major or institution.
5. Prohibit F-1 graduate students from changing “educational objectives” or transferring to another U.S. higher education institution at any point in their studies.
6. Prohibit F-1 students from pursuing another academic program at the same or lower education level than previously completed. Students who previously completed an academic program in F-1 status in the U.S. would not be allowed to matriculate at the same or lower education level.

How Purdue is Preparing for this Change

International Student Services has been closely monitoring this change and discussing the rule’s potential impacts with University leaders, academic deans and other campus units to help them understand and prepare for the changes.

We are currently reviewing the final rule and will provide detailed guidance to the Purdue community as promptly as possible via this webpage and emails to affected individuals. Until then, students, alumni and scholars can email iss@pnw.edu for individual counseling.

ISS is committed to assisting Purdue’s international students and scholars in making informed decisions and taking timely action to ensure they continue smoothly and successfully on their academic and professional pathways. We understand this news may be concerning. Know that we are here to support you and guide you through the implementation and transition period.

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